Calling all Roadies! Would you buy this bike?

[LI-ghtcycle]

Ok, I know very little about bikes to begin with, and was really shocked when my brother's old '86 Bridgestone M200 Road bike sold for $180!?!?!! (and it was well used! Not rough or abused, but still in maybe good to very good condition, no excellent much less mint)

It seems there is a size-able group of people who like older Steel framed Cro-Mo road bikes.

Here is my dilemma: I have found a good quality Bianchi at Goodwill, and I can't pin down the value, I am really interested in it, but it's NOT made in Italy, it's made in Taiwan, and I know plenty of good bikes have been produced in Taiwan, but they want $180!?? :lol:

I have seen several on CL about this vintage in the $400 range, but I am guessing most of these are Italian made, and would have better components.

No where have I found an indication of it's original retail price or current value, or any for sale.

I talked to the manager tonight and he agreed that it's pretty over-priced, so I'm thinking I can talk to the big boss tomorrow morning and get him to knock the price down some.

From best I can tell it's either an 86 or 87 Bianchi Strada LX with all original shifters, cranks, seat, grip tape and chain rings (Sugino). It's grey like the pic below, (It's about the same shade of grey) but the graphics are a bit different and it has "Colorado Bike 1986 - 1987) on the top tube just below the head tube, and this appears to be part of the factory decals, not some add-on from a bike shop or special event.

(More pics of another Strada with better close-ups of the deep lugged frame)

It's solidly butted Cro-Mo, and it's around 25-28lbs (I will try and confirm the weight tomorrow with a fish scale that is really accurate) and the shifters all work great, just needs a rear tire (28 inch wheels .. seems a strange size to me? definitely not 27, I checked it several times to make sure since I have never seen or heard of 28" Wheels) and some cleaning to ride.

I'm sure it would be a solid enough frame if I wanted to eventually electrify it, but for now I would like to see how it rides as is. Is $180 an outrageous price for it? From what I have seen of bikes this era, I would think that might be the best I would hope to sell something like this on craigslist, but I'm really hoping I can get them down to like $90, so if I decided to sell I could get my money or even a bit more back out of it.

What do you all think?

 

[amberwolf]

I've never seen any bike of good or bad quality for anything like that price at Goodwill here. Not knowing much about that brand I couldn't say if it is actually worth that to a collector of that type.

My question to you would be, is it worth $180 to *you*? If not, the price is too high.

It certainly wouldn't be worth that to me, as I have a number of very similar-framed bikes of similar late-70s early-80s vintage, with just about exactly the same cranks, chainrings, brakes, stem, bars, etc., and most of them cost me little or nothing--but none of them *looked* as nice as that one does, even though they were perfectly rideable and appeared well-maintained or at least not neglected. Remember my budget level when considering what I say, though.

 

[AussieJester]

Looks like the bikes i find on the kerbside during council rubbish collection :-S

KiM

 

[liveforphysics]

In the Seattle area, bikes like that are in piles at thrift shops for $10-15 each.

 

[Lyen]

Hi LI-ghtcycle,

You have reminded me that someone had asked "Is this girl pretty?". As you can see, you cannot judge a woman or a bike by its look and age.

As a semi-roadie myself, I believe I should be qualify to voice a few my of opinions. Some people like cromoly frames is because it does not flexes as much as aluminum so you can transfer full energy to the crank.

The Bianchi bikes typically has a higher resell value due to the name brand. Below are the things to justify the overall value:
1. The gear components (The Shimano DuraAce was the best and expensive, then Ultegra, etc.)
2. Potential repair cost
3. Value of the wheelset
4. Value of the removal components such as the seatpost, saddle, handlebar, stem, etc.
5. In the roadie's eyes, less weight = higher value $$$ > 10-14 lbs $6000, 14-16 lbs $3000, 16-18 lbs $2000, 18-20 $1000, 20-22 $700, 22-24 $400, 24 and up $200. You can actually get a new one for that price at Walmart.

Lastly, the older style shifters could be annoying to some people. It is not big of a deal once you get used to it. I personally ride the following:
LiteSpeed Vortex on titanium frame
Dahon Cadenza
Dahon Speed Pro
Dahon Helio SL
Dahon Roo El
Brompton L5
Brompton L3
Currie MTB
Currie folding
and more...

Just my 2 cents. :wink:

Regards,
Lyen

 

[LI-ghtcycle]

Well, I have turned the local Goodwill into quite a profitable enterprise buying and re-selling used bikes. I too am shocked how much people pay for what I in the past would have seen just as a "old bike".

My bother's Bridgestone for example, he paid only $265 when it was NEW in 1986, and it's really amazing that today in the local CL listings, you can see his bike's particular model going for about an average of $200!

I have been very fortunate, I have never lost money on any that I have bought (so far ) and usually I get them for under $50 (usually in the $20 range) and successfully re-sell them after a little tuning and cleaning (almost never have to replace anything) sell them for $80 - $150.

It's not steady, and I can't really make a living of it, but I have even seen a trike (should have bought it!!! ) it was a delta style with some form of Sturmy Archer (3 or 5 speed I forger which) hub in the rear, and a drum break up front. I hesitated because I know even less about trikes than road bikes.

Needless to say, it only needed some TLC from what I saw, it was a folding bike, and they were asking $80 and it didn't last more than an hour (I went back to check on it again to see if it shifted ok) after I had left, it was sold.

I'm confident that in the Portland area market that I could easily sell this Bianchi for the same price the Goodwill here is asking, I'm just trying to see if anyone who is particularly savy with this make/model of bike can tell me if it's just a $180 bike, or if it could possibly be worth more.

I know this isn't really the "Vintage Roadie" site, but I thought I might ask here too since I haven't found any forum yet that have any useful information on this particular model of Bianchi, and I know there are lots of people here who have knowledge that I do not about bikes, and the best part is you read my posts and try to help, so thanks to all.

 

[LI-ghtcycle]

Hi LI-ghtcycle,

You have reminded me that someone had asked "Is this girl pretty?". As you can see, you cannot judge a woman or a bike by its look and age.

As a semi-roadie myself, I believe I should be qualify to voice a few my of opinions. Some people like cromoly frames is because it does not flexes as much as aluminum so you can transfer full energy to the crank.

The Bianchi bikes typically has a higher resell value due to the name brand. Below are the things to justify the overall value:
1. The gear components (The Shimano DuraAce was the best and expensive, then Ultegra, etc.)
2. Potential repair cost
3. Value of the wheelset
4. Value of the removal components such as the seatpost, saddle, handlebar, stem, etc.
5. In the roadie's eyes, less weight = higher value $$$ > 10-14 lbs $6000, 14-16 lbs $3000, 16-18 lbs $2000, 18-20 $1000, 20-22 $700, 22-24 $400, 24 and up $200. You can actually get a new one for that price at Walmart.

Lastly, the older style shifters could be annoying to some people. It is not big of a deal once you get used to it. I personally ride the following:
LiteSpeed Vortex on titanium frame
Dahon Cadenza
Dahon Speed Pro
Dahon Helio SL
Dahon Roo El
Brompton L5
Brompton L3
Currie MTB
Currie folding
and more...

Just my 2 cents. :wink:

Regards,
Lyen

Thank you Lyen, I really appreciate the guide-lines you have given me for value.

In regard to the "Is this girl pretty?" question, I would say yes, I would be happy to own this bike, but I don't think I would for the asking price, I'm just trying to get a feel for the MONETARY value of this particular Bianchi, or maybe for Bianchi's made in Taiwan VS Italy.

On a side note, I forget if I mentioned it already, but I would say this bike should qualify for "Very Good" as far as how good if shape it is in.

Is a 28 inch wheel a bastard size that will make finding tires difficult? That would definitely factor into wheather or not I buy it. Not really looking for something where tire selection/availability would be limited.

If I can get it for $90 or less, I will buy it since I am confident even if I didn't decide to keep it that I would have a pretty good chance of re-selling it for that price if I choose to in the future.

That said, I'm really more interested in function than anything else, on another note, I actually scored a wheel at the same Goodwill store today that made my jaw drop!

I'll have some pics in the morning, but needless to say, even tho the rim is cracked, the hub is in perfect shape, and is no less than an Italian made Campagnolo cassette, and I talked them down from $14 to $10 ( I can quite easily get $50 for this hub locally ) because of the cracks in the rim. It's a really nice rim too, I bet it would have retailed for $150-200 new (complete wheel).

I hope I'm not alerting too many other bargain hunters of my haunts, but if I am all I can say is I only live 5 mins away, so you have to get there quick to find it first! :lol:

 

[Lyen]

Is a 28 inch wheel a bastard size that will make finding tires difficult? That would definitely factor into wheather or not I buy it. Not really looking for something where tire selection/availability would be limited.

The 28 inch wheel that you mentioned is actually called the 700c. This is a standard wheel size for road bikes so it should be as easy to find as the 26 incher.

 

[dogman dan]

That's a decent bike. My local used bike shop owner would ask $100 for it after a complete refurbish with new cables,pads, tires, etc. But he'd not pay more than $20 for it. If it's ok as is, tuned, good rubber, then $50 would be ok.

It's a heavy old steel bike, a good one for a lowish wattage motor like a 9c or bafang. But as a pedaler, it's a lead sled by todays standards.

 

[LI-ghtcycle]

Cool thanks guys!

I'm glad that the wheels are standard, I'm just not familiar enough with bikes to realize that 28" = 700c! That also opens possibilities for electrics. Thanks Lyen.

Thanks for your input DM, I'll double check the cables, and bring a pump for the tires, it really appears to be very solid in that department, other than the cords showing in the rear tire I'm pretty sure it doesn't need anything other than oil for the chain and air for the tires. It shifts very smoothly and dead accurate (when upside down, not a true test) but the derailleurs are tuned and the breaks seem the same with healthy shoes on them still.

I'll grab some pics of my other score from the day earlier (I almost said "before" but that would have been too corny ) I got a classic Schwinn Bantam "fresh from the barn" (still has a little hay stuck to it ) it needs work, but even if I didn't touch it at all, I could part it out and sell it for many times more than I paid (I have a local shop that specializes in classic bikes, and he confirmed my suspicions 8) )

 

[vanilla ice]

I could see that going for the asking price here. Maybe a little less. But this is a strong seller's market for those. If I was going to pay that much I'd want a frame with a known tube set (Tange, Columbus, Reynolds, Ishikawa, whatever). You don't want to spend 150$ for a 30 pound road bike.

Personally I'd value a '87 Taiwanese framed bike like that one at around 50$.. people do pay more though.

 

[mrzed]

For some reason around here, older "10 speeds" are going for insane asking prices on craigslist. Not sure what they are selling for, but I often see cheap department store bike from the 70's and 80's listed at $150-250 - perhaps just scroungers looking to make a buck off ignorant hipsters?

I would personally not pay more than $40 max for that, but you are probably right that for under $100 you could resell it without losing money (time on the other hand).

It is definitely not a "real" Bianchi if that matter.

 

[dogman dan]

Some of em have collector value, or much better components than others with similar frames. At the big bike swap in Tuscon this year I saw vintage peugots going for about $200. I thought, wow, I paid less than that in the 70's for brand new. Other brands, mabye $75. So the peugots must have some brand value, like an antique coke sign.

 

[docnjoj]

I found an old Peugot at out local dump. My kid is restoring it now with some better components. Nothing like free!
otherDoc

 

[The Mighty Volt]

Just my $0.02, but that bike is not something I would use for Ebike related matters.

Is it a good bike? Hell yeah, if you use it for what it was intended- road racing.

The lack of suspension and economy of steel means it is fine for racing but useless for EV applications.

 

[LI-ghtcycle]

SCORE!!!!!!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

I managed to talk them down, with the ammo you all gave me, and they offered it for $49.99 then I counter-offered that I still needed a new tire and tubes, and out the door at $39.99!!!!!!

Thanks again for all the good advice, I'm going to get pics for you all, but I got a gig installing a Wilderness Energy Kit for the LBS's customer.

I promise pics tonight! 8)

 

[Lyen]

SCORE!!!!!!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

I managed to talk them down, with the ammo you all gave me, and they offered it for $49.99 then I counter-offered that I still needed a new tire and tubes, and out the door at $39.99!!!!!!

Thanks again for all the good advice, I'm going to get pics for you all, but I got a gig installing a Wilderness Energy Kit for the LBS's customer.

I promise pics tonight! 8)

That price you bought is a steal! Congratulations!

 

[vanilla ice]

Yep even my cheap ass would have bought it for that..

 

[LI-ghtcycle]

Ok, as promised, pictures! 8)

First the Bianchi:

I wonder what "Compione del mondo 1986 - 1987 Colorado Springs" is all about?

Oh, and I weighed it, it's about 26lbs, so not too heavy, but not especially light-weight I guess.

On a second note, what does one look for in a 700c bike to be a good candidate for an E-Bike? It's safe to say that none of them are designed for E-Bike torque on the drop-outs and the weight of a full set of E-Bike gear.

 

[amberwolf]

Interesting; googling on the italian phrase (which I think just means "world champion") on the logo I found this:
http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-115822.html


Before I did that, I had the thought that maybe that logo on there might be a reference to the Olympic Training Center in CS, but apparently according to the above thread, it just means that Bianchi "won the worlds" in 1986 in Colorado Springs. World's *what* I don't know. :lol:

 

[dingoEsride]

Thats a bargain, I recently got lucky with this on ebay without a picture no one else bid, $55 got lucky, kid just saving up for a bmx a little small for me but with an electric motor the perfect riding position isn't as important as pure pedeller

and my brother has an old malvern star skidstar gt similar to this and ive seen them go for as much $500

ps. sorry the photo's are the wrong way around

 

[jag]

Ok, as promised, pictures! 8)

First the Bianchi:
<snip pics>
On a second note, what does one look for in a 700c bike to be a good candidate for an E-Bike? It's safe to say that none of them are designed for E-Bike torque on the drop-outs and the weight of a full set of E-Bike gear.

Excellent score! Both my road bikes are of that vintage. They are very maintainable. Hubs, BB etc can usually use some new grease. Not all bikes of that vintage had bearing seals, so may need more frequent re-greasing. Brake cables may be corroded and have higher friction than necessary. If so a new set (cable and sleave) makes them feel like new. Changing brake pads can help too if the rubber is old and stiff.

I've ridden a Miyata 9-12 since 1988, and a Bridgestone RB1 from the early '90s (the last mass production run of these). I have a Miyata 1000 touring frame still to be built. These bikes have a bit of a niche following now. For those who like them the choice is either to find a good used one or pay thousands to a custom frame builder or a niche company like Rivendell bicycles to get a new one.

 

[sk8norcal]

I used to ride road bike in the early 90's
and once you get used to nice components, you never want to go back to cheaper stuff, unless you are just using it for a beater...

the hipster kids out there are pushing up the price of old road bike with lugged frames for fixie conversion.

to me anything with six speed rear is not worth getting, get at least 7 rear.
need at least shimano 105 or above, ultegra, dura ace
double butted cro-mo
good wheelset (presta)


that bianchi was worth about $50...
I wouldn't use it for serious road riding...

anything with kickstand and post style seatpost and schrader valves
are signs of low quality...